Ask Mrs. Clean: House Cleaning, Stain Removal and Organizing Tips

[aqualityassured]

I have found it very difficult to remove old gum from commercial carpet. Does anyone have an easy way for removing it? It's just about to drive me MADD :x

[mrscleannw]

Hello aqualityassured and welcome to the forum,

Here is a very common method to try for removing the gum and then a couple of ideas for stain removal if needed once the gum is removed.

Ice Cube Method:
• Fill a medium sized zip-lock lunch bag with ice cubes and zip it closed so no ice cubes get out.
• Put this on top of the gum and let it sit until it hardens.
• Then using a dull knife, scrape up as much as possible.
• If there is any greasy residue left behind, spray with the solution you mixed below.
• Blot (don’t rub) up right away.
• Repeat the spray as necessary.

While the ice is sitting on the gum, mix the following ingredients. You finish with this after scraping up the gum. It will remove any greasy residue that may be left from the gum.

• ½ cup ammonia
• ½ cup water
• Put in spray bottle

Motsenbocker’s Lift Off Stain Remover:
There is a product called Motsenbocker’s Lift Off #2. This petroleum-based product works exceptionally well on any oil-based stain such as paint, crayons, tar, candle wax, lip stick, chewing gum, bumper stickers, price tags, contact paper, and more. In addition, Motsenbocker’s is great for fabric, tile, tools, plastic, vinyl, etc.

If there is a greasy stain left behind and the mixture above doesn’t do the trick, you can try this method.

Mrs. Clean

[lisaheader]

Oh, I have the same problem and now I found an answer to it. Now I just want to ask if this Motsenbocker’s Lift Off Stain Remover is reliable. I don't want to harm my carpet. It is a gift from my grandmother.

[mrscleannw]

Hi Lisa,
It is reliable, but always test it in an inconspicuous place first.

[greenj26]

The ice cube method definitely works. You can also use gum removal spray. The can sprays freezing cold air to hard the gum making it brittle enough to be chipped away. You can buy the gum removal spray from most janitorial stores. I have also found that you can use the "dust off" spray made for blowing clean computer keyboards. You need to hold it upside down when spraying it for some reason. It will get very cold and spray the same freezing cold air as the stuff specifically made for gum. Another thing you can use is "gumolene" which melts the gum through some type of chemical activity. I know this from professionally cleaning carpet for three years. If you are professionally cleaning, it's good to have cleaning supplies like this on hand because a lot of times you may be at an empty apartment with no ice availability. I hope this helped someone. :D

[cleaningmad]

Gum is a bit of a nightmare. My absolute top tip is WD-40. Yeh, I know, I know! But seriously I swear by it. It's not damaging to color either, in my experience. I just came across it one day. Gum just melts off with any of those lubricating sprays. Spray a bit on a lint-free cloth first and dab it on just the gum to minimize the spread. Leave it to absorb into the gum (seriously) and then come back with a soapy cloth and watch it melt away.

I had inherited a whole bunch of these really hard-wearing, wiry office carpet tiles and I put them in the garage. It picked-up ALL the gum from the kids' shoes and I managed to get it out........eventually. thank God I hadn't paid for the carpet!

[Sandcastle]

Both the ice cube method and the gum removal spray do work. Sometimes it's difficult to find a product that specifically states "gum removal". A cheap alternative is a can of forced air that you use to clean off computer monitors with. If sprayed up close, it does the same thing.

[Mighti]

Agree with using ice cube.

Don't attempt to scrape off as will damage carpet fibers.

[misty52]

I have a same problem. I got chewing gum on my car mat. Put the mat in the freezer and used ice cube, but didnt come off.
Can I use the same method as below?

>While the ice is sitting on the gum, mix the following ingredients. You finish with this after scraping up the gum. It will remove any greasy residue that may be left from the gum.
>• ½ cup ammonia
>• ½ cup water
>• Put in spray bottle

Thank you.

[mrscleannw]

Hello misty52,

Yes, this same method should work.

I don't know if your car mat is carpet and rubber or just a rubber car mat but putting it in the freezer and letting ice cubes sit could cause the rubber to crack or become brittle.

Besides freezing and using the ice cubes you could try Dust Off to get just the gum. Dust Off is a refrigerant-based propellant cleaner (compressed gas for dusting computers, electronic equipment, etc.) which can quickly get freezing cold.

Hold the spray from the Dust Off over the gum until it hardens, have a credit card, butter knife, or a toothpick handy to scrape up the gum then use the ammonia water mix.

Mrs. Clean

[mrscleannw]

Hello TheSirgke and Welcome.

It may be possible the oils in the peanut butter (I'd use a creamy brand) may help to lift the gum and make it less sticky. Instead of using a cup of peanut butter, I might try using just a tablespoon, or enough to cover the gum, so you don't end up with more peanut butter to clean than necessary. Gently rub it into the gum and let it sit a few minutes then carefully lift from the carpet.

You will be left with peanut butter to clean but that shouldn't be too hard to clean. Try a little warm water and vinegar (1/1 ratio), blot with clean rag, rinsing rag clean as necessary. You could cover the peanut butter, let it dry then vacuum it up.

I would try the ice cube method with the oriental carpet or take it to a professional.

Mrs. Clean

[CarpetGenie]

These are the same instructions we give our clients asking how to get tough Gum out of carpets :) Hope it helps

1.) Use aerosol gum freeze or ice cube to harden the gum and make it brittle
2.) Then strike and break into pieces
3.) Scrape them up with a dull butter knife
4.) Remove residue with dry cleaning solvent

*Please test all of them in an inconspicuous area first